True Fantasy Football?
The Lingerie Football League, or LFL, inaugurated in 2009, is a modified 7-on-7, full-contact game with 2 17-minute halves. The women players wear full protective gear and, you guessed it, bras, garters, and the laciest of panties. They play in major football stadiums, and in September of 2010, MTV2 started airing matches on Friday nights. The teams carry such names as “Dallas Desire” and “Los Angeles Temptation,” and are often coached by former NFL players. Many of the LFL members boast prior competitive athletic experience, although not necessarily in the realm of football.
The women are fined $500 if they wear too much clothing, and claim a viewership of 20-something beer-chugging dudes.
The LFL has received much criticism for exploiting the women players as mere sex objects, pointing to the fact that a. no one is looking at their faces or admiring their athleticism, and b. male football players need not wear lingerie to compete. Women athletes and sports leagues are already subordinated and not taken seriously, so is the LFL doing more harm than good?
Is the LFL providing a valuable opportunity to women who might not otherwise have the opportunity to participate in competitive athletics, and striving to increase the visibility of women in sports? Or is it taking advantage of women for the benefit of their ex-fratboy viewership? We want to know what you think.
Ephs for EFC
Hi everyone!
So the Women’s Center, Women of Color Resource Center (WCRC), and Peer Health have teamed up to collect full-size toiletries for the Elizabeth Freeman Center (EFC) in Pittsfield, MA. EFC is a comprehensive service provider for survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault. One of these services happens to be a confidential shelter for women and their children who are fleeing violence.
I’m sure we can all imagine how difficult it would be around the holidays to flee your home, and how little you might think to bring with you. Many women do not come with any toiletries and this is not something that EFC can necessarily afford to provide. Think about how great you feel after taking a nice, hot shower – we want to give that great feeling to these women and children. We have set up a competition between entries that ends tomorrow (Thursday, 12/9), as well as donation boxes throughout campus (Paresky mailroom, Schow atrium, and Goodrich). The campuse-wide boxes will be out until Sunday, 12/12. Here is a list of things you may want to consider providing (please note that everything should be full-size and new):
- Shampoo
- Conditioner
- Face wash
- Body wash
- Loofahs
- Nail polish
- Moisturizer (face and/or body)
- Children’s shampoo/conditioner
You get the idea! You can check out the Facebook event for more information and a more comprehensive list. We hope you can help!
Love,
the Women’s Center, WCRC, and Peer Health
Thanks Tony!
Apparently Antonin Scalia, one of the judges on our nation’s highest court, doesn’t necessarily believe that the fourteenth amendment, which has been used throughout it’s important history to ensure equality, protects women against sex discrimination.
Intrigued? Read this article from Time for more information.
In the Spirit of the Holidays
This article from the Daily Beast asks the provocative question: “Why do people who normally defend a woman’s right to wear whatever she wants suddenly label her a bimbo when she opts for the naughty nurse costume on Halloween?” Read the whole article and see what you think.
Happy Halloween!!
Feminist “OMG!!” Moment: Meeting Gloria Steinem
This past Thursday, members of the Women’s Collective had the chance to meet the legendary Gloria Steinem. We trekked to Rexford, NY, for the 75th anniversary celebration for the Mohawk Hudson County branch of Planned Parenthood. It was a wonderful evening of delicious food, even more delicious wine, passionate activists, and feminist uplift. Gloria Steinem delivered the keynote address, and left us all feeling validated, inspired, and rejuvenated. Some of her more memorable one-liners included:
“We all get radicalized out of our own experiences.”
“The only alternative to feminism is masochism.”
“We’re not crazy- the system is crazy.”
Unfortunately, this event allowed for little audience interaction, but one mother of three 20-something daughters asked how to respond when asked, “Why do you do what you do?” Her daughters are all involved in reproductive rights-focused feminist activism, and often find themselves having to justify their work. Steinem succinctly responded, “Out of self-respect.” This was definitely one of the biggest take-away messages from the night, and one that has resonated with the Women’s Center board. When I asked her how she prevents from feeling burnt out, and what keeps her going, she cited other people. She only feels crazy for doing what she does when she’s alone and without support, but when she stands among other feminists, she feels affirmed and not crazy. For all of you young feminists out there feeling overwhelmed or unsure of what you do and why you do it, remember Steinem’s words of wisdom. Continue with your activism not only for the thousands of women out there without a voice, but also out of respect for yourself. We all deserve equal rights and access, and the fight begins with you.
In solidarity,
Veronica
Eminem and Rihanna Part 2…
According to perezhilton.com (reliable source I know), Eminem and Rihanna are doing a Part 2 to Love the Way You Lie from the female’s point of view. Part 2 is supposed to include lines like:
Even angels have their wing cut schemes, and you take that to new extremes, but you will always be my hero, even though you lost your mind
Sounds like more of the same, no?
Discuss!
Savage Love at Williams College
Where to begin? Dan Savage at Williams College. WOW. We here at the Women’s Center are extremely excited about co-sponsoring this event! It’s gonna be hot, it’s gonna be sassy, it’s gonna be real.
For those of you who don’t know Savage, he is a sexpert who writes for Seattle’s The Stranger newspaper. The questions he answers in the newspaper, and on his podcast, know no limits. He addresses any and every issue about sex with candor and humor in a way that promotes sex positivism and tolerance. We encourage everyone to attend (it’s in Chapin on Monday, October 25th) and to submit your own question online. Also: the ’62 center is selling awesome t-shirts for $10!
The White House
Office of the Press Secretary
For Immediate Release October 01, 2010
Presidential Proclamation–National Domestic Violence Awareness Month
NATIONAL DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AWARENESS MONTH, 2010
BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
A PROCLAMATION
In the 16 years since the passage of the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA), we have broken the silence surrounding domestic violence to reach thousands of survivors, prevent countless incidences of abuse, and save untold numbers of lives. While these are critical achievements, domestic violence remains a devastating public health crisis when one in four women will be physically or sexually assaulted by a partner at some point in her lifetime. During Domestic Violence Awareness Month, we recognize the tremendous progress made in reducing domestic violence, and we recommit to making everyone’s home a safe place for them.
My Administration is committed to reducing the prevalence of domestic violence. Last year, I appointed the first-ever White House Advisor on Violence Against Women to collaborate with the many Federal agencies working together to end domestic violence in this country. Together with community efforts, these Federal programs are making important strides towards eliminating abuse.
The landmark Affordable Care Act also serves as a lifeline for domestic violence victims. Before I signed this legislation in March, insurance companies in eight States and the District of Columbia were able to classify domestic violence as a pre existing condition, leaving victims at risk of not receiving vital treatment when they are most vulnerable. Now, victims need not fear the additional burden of increased medical bills as they attempt to protect themselves and rebuild their lives.
Individuals of every race, gender, and background face domestic violence, but some communities are disproportionately affected. In order to combat the prevalence of domestic violence and sexual assault in tribal areas, I signed the Tribal Law and Order Act to strengthen tribal law enforcement and its ability to prosecute and fight crime more effectively. This important legislation will also help survivors of domestic violence get the medical attention, services, support, and justice they need.
Children exposed to domestic violence, whether victims or witnesses, also need our help. Without intervention, they are at higher risk for failure in school, emotional disorders, substance abuse, and perpetrating violent behavior later in life. That is why my Administration has launched the “Defending Childhood” initiative at the Department of Justice to revitalize prevention, intervention, and response systems for children exposed to violence. The Department of Health and Human Services is also expanding services and enhancing community responses for children exposed to violence.
Ending domestic violence requires a collaborative effort involving every part of our society. Our law enforcement and justice system must work to hold offenders accountable and to protect victims and their children. Business, faith, and community leaders, as well as educators, health care providers, and human service professionals, also have a role to play in communicating that domestic violence is always unacceptable. As a Nation, we must endeavor to protect survivors, bring offenders to justice, and change attitudes that support such violence. I encourage victims, their loved ones, and concerned citizens to call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1 800-799-SAFE or visit: www.TheHotline.org.
This month — and throughout the year — let each of us resolve to be vigilant in recognizing and combating domestic violence in our communities, and let us build a culture of safety and support for all those affected.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim October 2010 as National Domestic Violence Awareness Month. I call on all Americans to speak out against domestic violence and support local efforts to assist victims of these crimes in finding the help and healing they need.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this first day of October, in the year of our Lord two thousand ten, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-fifth.
BARACK OBAMA
Couldn’t have said it better myself:
Please read this article on Feministing about one activist’s reflections on Domestic Violence Awareness Month and Yeardley Love:
Cardio Confessions and Revved Up Reflections on Domestic Violence
Just a reminder that domestic violence does happen to college-age women, and it can happen at the most elite and powerful institutions (for example, Williams). Domestic violence does not only happen to women of color, married women, poor women, and/or uneducated women, as most people believe. It can happen to you. It can happen to your best friend. It could be happening to the woman (or man) in the dorm room next to you.
If you are in an abusive relationship, you are worthy of better. Find the help you deserve at one of the following resources:
Elizabeth Freeman Center (Pittsfield, MA): (866) 401-2425
SafeLink (Massachusetts statewide, toll-free, multilingual hotline): (877) 785-2020 [for TTY, please call (877) 521-2601]
National Domestic Violence Hotline: (800) 799-SAFE [for TTY, please call (800) 787-3224]
h/t to Tracey at Feminizzle
In solidarity,
Emily
A New Project by Young Jean Lee
Sorry to be so NYC-centric, but, the young female playwright, Young Jean Lee, who was just at Williams when her show “The Shipment” was performed, will have a new show at the Newmuseum in New York City December 16-19 titled “Untitled Feminist Multimedia Technology Show: A Work in Progress.” I missed “The Shipment”, but I’ve heard great things and I am personally looking forward to this event. Hopefully it doesn’t conflict with finals…!
More info. at http://www.newmuseum.org/events/486
-M. Hislop
